Laminating Machine Basics

02/04/2013

The Fujipla ALM3220 automatic laminator is a fully-automated laminating and trimming system that turns a stack of loose documents into precisely cut and laminated sheets with little-to-no operator supervision. In order to ensure that it runs smoothly in automatic mode, it is extremely important that the laminating film is loaded onto and threaded through the machine properly. Below are step-by-step instructions for loading and threading the ALM3220 automatic laminating machine:

The ALM3220 utilizes specialized laminating film that is designed for digital prints - do not attempt to use other film with this laminator. Open the rolls and inspect them before loading to ensure that they are not damaged.

Open the cover at the trimmer, then adjust the left and right levers to the "FILM SET" position. Leave the cover open. Note: Always make sure that the levers are in the "FILM SET" position during threading, as the threading card will get caught on the trimmer blades and may damage them if the levers are set incorrectly.

Open the covers in the following order: front cover, feeder cover, and film cover. The feeder cover can only be opened when the front cover is open. Note: The inner components of the machine get very hot during use. Always use caution when the covers are open to prevent accidental burns.

If necessary, loosen the two tension controllers. Place a roll of film into the upper mandrel holder. The rolls can be used interchangeably on the top or bottom of the machine, however the black tape on the film roll end should match up with the one on the mandrel holder. If the film is loaded incorrectly, the adhesive may come in contact with the heating elements and/or rollers.

Place the lower film roll in the feeder area.

Pull approximately 8 - 10" of film from the bottom roll and feed it behind and up around the lower rotating idler bar. If necessary, loosen the two tension controllers. Set the film roll firmly into the lower mandrel holders, then lay the end of the film back on top of the roll.

Raise the Lamination Handle (located on the right side of the machine) to the "OPEN" postion to separate the chambers and the heated rollers.

Pull the upper film off of the roll, then thread it over the upper rotating idler bar. Bring the end of the film down until it just touches the film from the lower roll - it should overlap both chambers by a few inches. Lift the film from the lower roll up and over the film from the upper roll. The two layers of film should be overlapping the heat chambers by about 8".

Push both layers of film between the heat chambers and into the nip rollers using an 11" long threading card. Keep the threading card level as you push the film through the machine, leaving only 1" of the card exposed at the fronts of the chambers. Note: If you are unable to push the threading card more than approximately 4" into the machine, it is likely being blocked by the film guides on the cutter unit. The threading card MUST pass approximately 4" beyond that point before the Lamination Handle can be lowered.

Leave the Lamination Handle in the "OPEN" position and turn on the power switch.

Push the Manual MOVE Switch toward the exit of the machine. The threading card and laminating film should start to move through the machine. If they do not move, it may be necessary to push the threading card so that it comes in contact with the rollers at the exit. In 1 - 2 seconds after the threading card starts to move, it should exist the machine along with the two layers of film. Note: If the threading card and film fail to exit the machine within 5 seconds, stop immediately. Film may be accumulating with the machine, which can lead to damage. Pull the threading card back out of the front of the machine and repeat the threading process beginning with step 6.

Once the threading card and film have emerged, lower the Lamination Handle.

Allow the laminator to warm up until the READY light is illuminated.

Before running paper through the machine in automatic mode, examine the quality of the film. It should be clear and free of wrinkles. If wrinkles are occuring, slightly adjust the tension knobs on the film rolls. If the film is curled, the tension on one of the rolls may be higher than on the other. Adjust the tension knob(s) until the film exits the machine flat. If the film curls while the machine is running in automatic mode, it may lead to errors and possible damage to the machine.

There are a total of four tension controllers - two for each of the film rolls. The purpose of the tension controllers is to apply resistance on the film rolls, which helps the film to lay flat on the heat chambers and eliminates creases and bubbles in the finished lamination. The tension on the right and left controllers for each roll should be set identically so that the film pulls smoothly and evenly. The tension settings on the top and bottom rollers may vary slightly in order to eliminate curling in the finished piece. If the film curls upward, loosen the knobs at the top or tighten the knobs at the bottom; if the film curls downward, loosen the knobs at the bottom or tighten the knobs at the top.

Use the Manual MOVE Switch to feed film through the laminator until all of the bubbles, wrinkles, and creases disappear from the lamination and the film is laying flay on the heat shoes. If the defects do not start to disappear within 3 - 4', slightly increase the tension on both rolls.

Test the film for curling. Push the Manual MOVE Switch forward until approximately 1' of film has exited the laminator. Use a pair of scissors to cut the film at a point approximately 1" from the laminator, making note of the upper and lower sides of the film. Hold the film vertically about 2" from the cut side, then view the film from the side. If the curl is within 1/2" from the vertical plane, there is no need to adjust the tension. If the curl is more than 1/2" toward the lower side, tighten the two upper tension knobs by half a turn each. If the curl is more than 1/2" toward the upper side, loosen the two upper tension knobs by half a turn each. Note: If the film is allowed to curl, it may feed into the interior areas of the machine and cause errors or damage. As the film rolls reduce in diameter due to use, you may need to readjust the tension to prevent curling.

When the film is free of defects and exits the machine without curling, it is properly configured and ready to be run in automatic mode.

Set the Trimmer levers at their desired positions.

Close all of the covers in the following order: film cover, feeder cover, and front cover. The machine is now ready for automatic operation.

If this is the first time that your 27STA will be used, begin by unpacking the upper and lower supply mandrels. If your laminator has been previously set up, remove the mandrels from the machine and clear any remaining film or waste. Note: The mandrels are distinct from one another. The upper mandrel has the word "TOP" stamped onto the shaft; the lower mandrel has the word "BOTTOM" stamped onto the shaft. To help prevent the mandrels from being loaded backwards, they also have unique endpieces on the left and right sides - the "hanger" end fits into the bracket located on the left side of the laminator, while the "slot end" fits into the tensioner located on the right.

Slide the laminating film roll onto the mandrel while twisting the mandrel in the opposite direction of the core gripper points. The core will slide over the gripper points when it is inserted, but the gripper will stick into the core and prevent it from spinning independently during lamination. The roll should be centered on the mandrel, with equal lengths extending beyond the core on each side.

Load the mandrels onto the laminator by inserting the slot end into the tensioner (located on the right side of the machine), then lowering the hanger end into the bracket on the left side.

Remove the feed tray and the heat guard (if they have not already been removed).

Feed the film from the top roll over the top idler roller, so that the shiny side is against the roller. Next, lay the film in front of the heat shoe, with the dull side facing out.

Thread the film from the lower supply roll around the lower idler roller, so that the dull side is against the roller. Overlap the film from the top supply roll and tape in place.

Position the threading card between the laminating rollers, then turn the power and keyswitch to the "On" position. Start the motor by pressing the "Start" button, reducing the laminating speed to 1'/minute. The laminating rollers will begin turning, and will pull the threading card and film through the machine. When the threading card exits the back of the machine, cut away the card and the excess film (leaving a small tail to prevent the film from wrapping around the pull rollers.

Slide the top and bottom supply rolls on the mandrels as necessary so that the film is perfectly-aligned on the top and bottom. If the film is misaligned as it passes through the heat shoes and laminating rollers, it will leave adhesive residue behind. Once the supply rolls have been positioned, replace the feed tray and heat guard.

09/27/2012

The Dry-Lam 27STA roll laminator pairs robust features with a user-friendly design, making it easy for schools, offices, and other organizations to achieve professional-quality laminating results on a budget. The 27STA can laminate with 1.5 mil and 3 mil laminating films, using a precise, all-digital control panel to make speed and temperature adjustments based on the material being used. Below are step-by-step instructions for laminating with the Dry-Lam 27STA roll laminating machine:

Once the laminator has been loaded and threaded with the appropriate laminating film, allow it to preheat to the correct laminating temperature as designated by in the film specifications. The ready light will become illuminated when the specified temperature has been reached.

Adjust the feed guide as necessary to ensure proper placement of your document. The feed guide can be adjusted by loosening the screw knob, sliding it along the track until it is in the desired position, and re-tightening the screw to prevent it from shifting during use.

Place the document that is to be laminated onto the feed table, aligning it with the feed guide to ensure that it goes into the machine straight.

Press the "Start" button to turn on the roller motor, then adjust the speed using the control panel.

Adjust the supply roll tension if necessary. To adjust the tension, use the knob located on the side of each supply mandrel. Tighten the knobs only until the wrinkles in the film that appear across the heat shoe disappear. Note: Do not over-tension the film, as it can lead to sub-par laminating results or potentially cause damage to the film or the laminator itself.

Use both hands to guide the document into the laminator, keeping it flat against the feed table.

Allow an additional 3" - 6" of film to clear the rollers once your document has exited the machine, then turn the motor off to prevent the lamination film from advancing any further. Use a hand-held cutter to slice through the film to release your document. Holding the document to retain tension in the film while cutting will make it easier to slice through the film. Note: You can run multiple documents through your laminator before cutting them - just follow the procedure listed above after your last document, then trim the individual documents as desired after the film is released from the laminator.

09/26/2012

The Dry-Lam 27STA roll laminator is a feature-packed, 27" roll laminating machine that is designed for use in schools, offices, and other organizations with medium-volume laminating needs. Capable of laminating with both 1.5 and 3 mil laminating films up to 27" in width, the 27STA also comes equipped with a wide array of user-friendly features, such as a locking keyswitch to prevent unauthorized use, a usage counter to track roll laminating film consumption, and a user-defined preset for commonly-used film types. To make operation even easier, this model also has a unique design that allows the pull rollers to be rotated independently of the roller shafts, which helps to clear even the most severe wrap-around. Below are step-by-step instructions for clearing film wrap-arounds on the Dry-Lam 27STA roll laminating machine:

If the wrap-around is not severe, you can use the reverse button (located on the lower right corner of the control panel) to change the direction of the rollers and feed the laminating film out of the machine. The Feed Table must be removed before the reverse feature is used.

For severe wrap-arounds, such as cases in which the film and/or document has wrapped around the roller(s) several times, follow the steps below:

Turn the laminator off and unplug it.

Locate the screws on the ends of the pull rollers, then loosen them. Each pull roller has two screws for a total of four screws.

Cut the laminating film that is between the two pull rollers, then grab the loose end of the film and pull. Since the screws on each end have been loosened, the pull rollers will be able to rotate freely on the roller shafts, allowing you to easily clear any wrap-around.

Once the film has all been removed, tighten the screws on each pull roller then rethread the laminating film and resume your project.

The Dry-Lam 27STA roll laminator is a dependable and durable 27" roll laminating machine that is perfectly suited for use in schools, offices, or copy centers. The 27STA features adjustable heat and speed settings on a user-friendly, all-digital control panel that makes adjustments easy and precise. This model is capable of laminating with film up to 3 mil thick and has a built-in footage counter to help track film usage. In addition to the 27STA's built-in features, optional accessories such as a slitter kit can be purchased from an authorized Dry-Lam dealer. Below is a step-by-step guide for installing the slitter kit on the Dry-Lam 27STA roll laminating machine:

Unplug the laminator before beginning the installation process, allowing it to cool completely.

Remove the feedtable from the front of the machine.

Take one of the Mounting Brackets and place it onto the inside of the side panel of the laminator so that the two pins that are molded onto the back of the bracket fit into the rivet heads. Hold it in position with one hand, and use the other hand to insert the provided screws into the holes and tighten them to secure the bracket.

Repeat the process on the other sidepanel.

Insert one of the included thumb screws into each of the slitter bar locking blocks and the slitter assemblies (there are a total of four blocks and assemblies - two of each). Do not tighten the screws, as this will be done in the next step.

Place the locking blocks and slitter assemblies onto the slitter bar. A locking block should be inserted first, followed by the two slitters, and finally the second locking block. The thumb screws should all be positioned at the top and the slitter blades should be facing the front of the laminator. Adjust the position of the slitters so that they will cut at the desired increments. Tighten the slitter thumb screws and remove the protective coating from the slitter blades.

Place the slitter bar into the Mounting Brackets and press the slitters through the laminating film. Note: If you are having difficulties pushing the slitters through the laminating film, try cutting slots in the film with a utility knife first.

Once the slitter bar is in place, slide each of the locking blocks out until they come in contact with the Mounting Brackets, then tighten the thumb screws.

Install the feedtable. Slide both of the Feedtable Wedges between the sidepanel and the feedtable on the same side of the feedtable (the wedges can be installed on either side, but both must be installed on the same side). The wedges will prevent the feedtable from moving and help to keep the alignment of the feed guide and the slitters true.

Note: You can adjust the position of the slitters at any time by loosening the thumb screws, sliding them as desired, and re-tightening the screws to prevent the slitters from shifting.

08/27/2012

The Fujipla LPE-3510 roll laminator is a 13" laminating machine that is designed for schools, offices, and other organizations that have a need to laminate letter-sized documents on a budget. While some 13" laminators can only be used with costly specialty laminating film rolls, the LPE-3510 can be used with any 12" or smaller 1.5 or 3 mil laminating roll with a 1" core. With an easy-to-understand control panel and fast, 5-minute warm-up time, the LPE-3510 is an excellent option for new and experienced users alike. Below is a step-by-step guide for laminating documents with the Fujipla LPE-3510 roll laminating machine.

Ensure that the operation lever is set to the "LAMINATE" position, then turn the power on using the power switch located on the front of the machine. The power light will be illuminated in red when the laminator is on.

Set the temperature based on the type of film and media that is being laminated by using the temperature knob. If you are laminating thin paper, such as standard 20 lb. copy paper, then set the temperature to 6 - 7 when using 1.5 mil film and set it to 7 - 8 when using 3 mil film. If you are laminating thick paper, such as photo paper or cardstock, then set the temperature to 7 - 8 when using 1.5 mil film and set it to 8 - 9 when using 3 mil film.

Lower the rear exit tray into its open position.

Ensure that the safety cover (which sits in front of the heat shoes and helps to prevent accidental burns) and feed table (which aids in inserting documents and keeps fingers away from the rollers) are in place.

Adjust the feed guide based on the size of the document(s) being laminated. To move the feed guide, loosen the screw that holds it in place, slide the guide along the feed table until it reaches the desired position, then re-tighten the screw to secure it in place.

Once the ready indicator light glows green, the machine is ready to laminate. Set the Motor Switch to "FWD" to begin advancing the film through the rollers.

Insert a sheet into the laminator, aligning it to the feed guide. The rollers will pull your document through the laminator and allow the two layers of film to fuse to it.

Continue inserting documents until all sheets have been laminated. Once the last sheet has passes through the rear rollers, turn off the roller motor using the Motor Switch and move the Operation Lever to the "Open" position. This will help to reduce wear on the rollers. Turn the power switch to the "off" position, then unplug the machine.

Cut the laminated sheets from the back of the laminator, then trim as desired.

Notes: If the green indicator light turns off during lamination, allow the laminator to warm up before inserting your next sheet. Turn the roller motor off using the Motor Switch to prevent unnecessary film waste during warm-up. The Fujipla LPE-3510 is equipped with a reverse feature, which allows the rollers to turn in the opposite direction to help clear occasional jams and misfeeds. To use the reverse option, press the Motor Switch into the "REV" position.

08/25/2012

The Fujipla LPE-3510 roll laminator is an user-friendly 13" roll laminator that makes it easy to laminate letter-sized documents. Ideal for both schools and offices, the LPE-3510 can laminate with both 1.5 and 3 mil laminating film and uses standard 1" core rolls (unlike some other small roll laminators that require the use of specialized film). Below is a step-by-step guide for loading and threading roll laminating film onto the Fujipla LPE-3510 roll laminating machine.

If you are replacing empty film rolls or switching to a different film type or thickness, begin by removing the rolls from the mandrels.

Insert the laminating film rolls onto the mandrels. The hook on each mandrel should face in the opposite direction compared to the rotation of the film. For example, if the tail of the film is wrapped over the top of the roll and toward the front, the hook should face the rear of the mandrel. This will allow the hook to grab onto the cardboard tube inside the roll and allow the mandrel to provide adequate tension.

Load the mandrels onto the machine. The tail of the film on the top mandrel should wrap around the bottom side of the roll and toward the front of the machine. The tail of the film on the bottom mandrel should wrap around the bottom side of the roll and away from the front of the machine.

Pull approximately 12"-18" of film from the end of the upper film roll. Thread the film over the Upper Guide Roller and over the Heat Shoe. The dull side should be facing out (away from the heat shoe).

Pull approximately 12"-18" of film away from the end of the lower film roll. Thread the film behind the Lower Guide Roller and over the Heat Shoe. Position the film so that the side edges are aligned with the edges of the top roll, then secure in place with a small piece of tape.

Open the rear tray so that the film can pass through the machine easily.

Set the Operation Lever position to "OPEN." This will gap the rollers and allow the film to be threaded through the laminator more smoothly.

Use a threading card or thin piece of cardboard to begin pushing the film between the rollers.

Set the Operation Lever position to "LAMINATE," then set the Motor Switch to the "FWD" position. The threading card and the film will advance through the rollers.

Once the threading card and the film have exited the rear rollers, the threading process is complete. You may now begin laminating.

Note: Small creases in the film may initially appear along the heat shoe. If the creases do not disappear after a few feet have fed through the machine, the tension may need to be adjusted. To increase the tension, turn the built-in Tension Controller knob clockwise. To decrease the tension, turn the Tension Controller knob counterclockwise. Make small adjustments to avoid damaging the laminator.

08/24/2012

The SircleLam SG-330 pouch laminator is a versatile pouch laminating machine that offers both thermal and cold laminating capabilities, as well as the ability to laminate photographs. With a simplified control panel and small desktop footprint, the SG-330 is ideal for home, school and office settings. It has four silicone rollers, which provide superior laminating results and reduce adhesive build-up, and can laminate pouches that are up to 10 mil thick. Below is a step-by-step guide to cold lamination with the SG-330 pouch laminating machine:

Set the laminator onto a flat working surface and plug the power cord into a wall outlet.

Turn the temperature control dial until the arrow points to "Cold," then turn the power on by switching the power control (located on the right side of the laminator) to the "On" position.

The red power indicator light on the control panel with light up and the roller motor will start. Note: When using the cold laminating setting, the green ready indicator light will not illuminate. The laminator is ready to use immediately, since there is no warm-up time necessary.

Insert the document that is to be laminated into a self-sealing laminating pouch with the paper-lined flap on top, leaving even margins on all sides.

Slightly peel back the paper liner (starting from the top). Insert the pouch into the laminator and lay the paper-lined flap over the top of the machine. As the pouch advances through the laminator, pull the paper liner off.

The laminating process is completed as soon as the pouch exits the machine - there is no need to wait for the pouches to cool as there is with thermal lamination.

Note: If the machine had been used for thermal lamination immediately before setting the temperature dial to "Cold," then the laminator will need to be turned off and allowed to cool completely. This will take approximately 20 - 30 minutes.

The SircleLam SG-330 pouch laminator is a sleek and compact 13" laminating machine that is designed for medium-volume use. It features easy-to-understand controls that are simple to adjust and help to ensure professional results using laminating pouches up to 10 mil thick. With four silicone rollers, the SG-330 is capable of laminating photos and even provides a cold lamination setting for use with self-sealing laminating pouches. Below is a step-by-step guide to laminating with the SG-330 pouch laminating machine:

Place the laminator onto a flat surface and plug the power cord into an outlet.

Twist the temperature control dial until the arrow is pointing to the appropriate temperature for the thickness of the pouch that is being used.

Turn the laminator on using the power switch located on the right side of the machine. The power indicator light located on the control panel will light up in red, and the roller motor will engage.

Allow the machine to warm up (approximately 5 - 10 minutes). Once the machine has reached the indicated temperature, the green ready indicator light will turn on.

Insert your document into the corresponding laminating pouch size. The document should sit in the center of the pouch, and should have a gap of no more than 10mm on all sides.

Place the pouch containing your document into the laminator through the slot in the front with the sealed edge first. Because the rollers are made from silicone, laminating pouches can be placed directly into the laminator without the need for a carrier sheet. If you are laminating small documents, it is recommended that you place them into a carrier sheet during lamination to prevent them from getting stuck inside of the machine.

The laminating sheet will be sealed as it passes through the laminator. Once it exits through the rear of the machine, allow it to cool for 10-15 seconds before removing it.

Set your laminated document onto a flat surface to cool completely.

Note: The SG-330 features a built-in jam release feature that allows you to easily clear occasional jams and misfeeds. To use the jam release, switch the motor direction to "Reverse" to change the direction of the rollers and retrieve the pouch.

08/22/2012

The Fujipla LPE-3510 roll laminator is a durable and productive 13" laminating machine that provides professional-quality results yet is still compact enough to fit on a desktop. The LPE-3510's combination of simplified controls, quality construction, and affordability makes it a popular choice among schools and small offices, as well as professional printers who need to laminate on-demand. To help ensure clear, consistent lamination, it is important to keep the LPE-3510's rollers clean and free from adhesive residue. Below is a step-by-step guide for cleaning the rollers of the Fujipla LPE-3510 roll laminating machine.

If the laminator is loaded with film, cut the film near the supply rolls and feed it through your laminator while it is cold in order to clear the rollers.

Fold a sheet of thick paper in half along the long edge. Recycled paper, such as calendar sheets or catalog pages, works well. Do not use thin paper, including standard copy paper, as it may become jammed within the laminator.

With the motor engaged, insert the paper into the laminator with the folded edge first. Allow it to feed through the rollers and repeat several times. The adhesive residue that is present on the rollers will adhere to the paper and release from the roller surface.

Occasionally, it may also be necessary to clean the rollers using a soft, non-abrasive cloth soaked with methyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol. Never use organic solvents, such as toluene, benzine, thinner, etc., as they may damage the rollers. Only clean the rollers when they are cold. Do not use metal or other sharp materials to remove the adhesive.